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MCA drops almost half of incumbents in 'natural renewal'
Mon, Feb 18, 2008 The Straits Times
KUALA LUMPUR - THE president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, said the party's decision to drop almost half of its incumbents for the general election is to ensure it is heading in the right direction in its rejuvenation. This was in line with the MCA's efforts to keep the party relevant and in tune with the changes taking place around it, he said. 'In fact, quite a number of them have served for quite some time and there are also quite a lot of potential candidates who are very capable and can do a good job. 'This renewal is quite natural, but we have to make sure that the whole process is going towards the right direction, where MCA is talking about keeping up with the times, keeping up with the changes and keeping up with the current challenges within and outside the country,' he told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year function.

About 40 incumbents - of which half are Members of Parliament and 40 per cent state assemblymen - are reported to have been dropped from the candidates list to be submitted by the party to Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi for endorsement.

Among them are Deputy Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong (Bayan Baru MP), parliamentary secretary to the International Trade and Industry Ministry Datuk Paduka Tan Yee Kew (Klang) and Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng (Kulai).

Others include several MCA veteran leaders like former party secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh (Gopeng), former health minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng (Bakri), former deputy minister of youth and sports Datuk Loke Yuen Yeow (Tanjung Malim) and former MCA vice-president Datuk Yap Pian Hon (Serdang).

Several state executive councillors - Datuk Tang See Hang (Selangor), Datuk Freddie Long (Johor), Datuk Chong It Chew (Kedah) and Datuk Seah Kwi Tong (Melaka) - are also said to have been dropped.

BERNAMA